The Richmond’s Chapeau! is doubling in size

Chapeau's dining room, back in 2008 when Gardelle took over the former Clementine. Photo: The Chronicle

Included in this week’s print column is some big news from Philippe and Ellen Gardelle, the husband-and-wife team behind Chapeau! in the Richmond. They’ve acquired the storefront directly next door, essentially doubling the footprint of their 3-star French restaurant.

The added space will allow for about 20 more seats, says Philippe Gardelle. It will also allow them to give the restaurant a significant facelift and upgrade the look of the restaurant, by doing things like renovating the bar and expanding the kitchen. Gardelle assures everyone that the food won’t be changing; the restaurant will simply become “more beautiful and have more space for everyone.”

Chapeau! will stay open per normal for the time being during the work next door, though it’s likely that it will have to close for a few weeks in spring 2013.

Here’s a rendering of the new facade might look like:

Chapeau!: 126 Clement St. (near Third Avenue) San Francisco; (415) 750-9787 or chapeausf.com